Your garage door is the largest moving object you own. Here in Arizona, with its blistering heat and monsoon storms, your garage door isn’t only a convenience, it’s also your home’s security and insulation. The doors are typically built for 15-30 years, so if you maintain them properly, you can save thousands of dollars in premature replacement costs.
As a major garage door repair company in Arizona, we know that simple, consistent maintenance can prevent major mechanical failures. By taking a little time to service your garage door, you will greatly extend the life of the system, making sure it is quiet, safe, and reliable for decades.
Importance of Garage Door Repair
Although most people are comfortable in a do-it-yourself environment, your garage door is under a lot of stress, especially the springs that keep the doors balanced and the cables. These can cause a lot of damage or injury if not handled correctly, and this is why regular garage door repair and maintenance is recommended.
When we repair your garage door, we will check your door’s condition to find frayed cables, hairline cracks in the rollers, or slight misalignments in the tracks. By catching issues early, you avoid the “emergency brake” that always seems to happen at the worst possible time.
Why Garage Door Repair is Necessary in Arizona
Since the weather in Arizona is so unique, high temperatures can cause metal components to expand and lubricants to dry out faster than in other regions. Extreme heat and dust/sand may damage and shorten the life of the door. Regularly engaging a garage door and gate service to maintain these systems will help protect them from the weather.
Critical Maintenance Tasks for Lifespan
To ensure you get the full life out of your garage door, be sure to complete a seasonal maintenance list. Here are some tasks you should do to ensure the door is in top condition.
1. Lubricate the Moving Parts of Your Door
The easiest way to keep your door going is to lubricate it. Use a quality lubricant, like lithium or silicone, in your garage door rollers, hinges, and tracks. Do not use WD-40 or grease on your garage door. These lubricants collect dirt, dust, and other debris, which turns into a sludge that slows down the operation of the door. The less friction there is in the moving parts, the less your garage door opener has to exert to open the door.
2. Tighten the Hardware on Your Door
Have you ever thought about how many times the garage door travels up and down in a year? This constant movement loosens the hardware that holds the brackets and tracks of the door to the building. Every few months, use a socket wrench to ensure the door’s hardware is tight. If you fail to do this regularly, your door could shake while operating or even go off track. A door that isn’t tightened properly will lead to costly garage door repairs and installation fees.
3. Check Your Garage Door’s Balance
An imbalanced garage door forces the garage door opener to work much harder. This leads to burned-out garage door motors. To check the balance:
- Disconnect the garage door opener by pulling the red release cord attached to the unit.
- Manually lift the door halfway.
- If it stays there, the door is balanced. If it falls or bounces up, have your springs replaced by an experienced garage door repair company.
When It’s Time to Upgrade Your Garage Door and Installation
The key to a long-lasting door often lies in understanding when it’s time to invest in an upgrade. Say, for example, that you have an older door that does not feature insulation. Upgrading to a professionally insulated door could help control the temperature of your garage. Not only will your things be better preserved and protected from the harsh Arizona sun, but the door will be more durable and less noisy.
Sometimes, a new garage door and installation service is the most money-saving option. Especially if you feel that your door has reached the end of its life, or it has experienced major panel damage, you might find a better long-term value with a brand new door. Many features have improved in modern doors; there are now more safety precautions, and the energy efficiency rates are far better than what a door manufactured ten years ago will offer.
Safety Inspections: The Mandatory Step
If your door’s auto-reverse is not functioning correctly and you are having issues, this is where safety inspections should be used as your number one priority. To check if your door is auto-reversing properly, place a wooden block under your door. If it strikes the block and does not then immediately back up, the problem is either with your sensors or the settings of the opener. Either way, professional assistance is required.
Ensure to Keep the Tracks Clear
Ensure that the tracks that reside on both sides of the door remain free of obstructions. If you notice a slight bend or dent in the track, refrain from banging the track back into the correct form. The door could get stuck or even fall as a result. In cases where there is a problem with the track, it is best to contact a professional who can fix the system.
Final Word: Rely On Elite Garage Doors & Gates Pros
Taking care of your garage door for its lifespan involves small maintenance efforts and the help of a qualified professional. Regular lubrication and maintenance of your components can help you avoid the majority of common garage door issues, but the high-stress jobs like spring repairs and diagnostics need a skilled, experienced professional.
Elite Garage Doors & Gates provides expert residential and commercial service all over the State of Arizona. If you’re in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, or anywhere in between, our technicians are standing by 24/7 to keep your property safe and secure. Whether you need a quick repair, new parts, or a complete new garage door installation, you can count on Elite for precision and quality. Call now to speak to a live person and experience what makes us Elite.
FAQs:
How often should my garage door have a professional service?
You should call a professional technician at least once a year to tune up and inspect your door. This will ensure your door is balanced and that all of its springs, components, and safety sensors are all functioning correctly before the intense Arizona summer and/or winter sets in.
How can I tell that I need a garage door repair company ASAP?
If your door is loud, is making grinding sounds, is moving unevenly, or if you can clearly see a broken line down your torsion spring, you should call a repair company immediately! You may have components under a great deal of stress, and these could fail at any moment!
Can I replace my broken garage door spring myself?
It is NOT recommended to attempt to change a garage door spring! They are under extreme tension, and a snapping spring can easily cause serious bodily injury to you and other occupants. It’s also extremely easy to damage your property, which is why it’s best left to the professionals. Our team is trained and experienced, and can safely and efficiently handle even the most difficult springs!
Is insulation helpful to maintain the lifespan of my door?
Yes! Insulation helps make your door more rigid and sturdy. The door is therefore less likely to have dents, rust, or cracks. Insulation also reduces wear from expansion and contraction by better regulating the air temperature inside the garage.
